MANHATTAN, Kan. – A trailer that demonstrates the potential effects of waste runoff in the lots of small herd cattle producers is available for use at local and regional events, said Joel DeRouchey, Extension livestock specialist at Kansas State University.

The purpose of the trailer is to give an educational demonstration on the impact that small feeding sites can have on the environment, DeRouchey said. We want to show how temporary feeding sites, used by small cow-calf operations, have the potential to have runoff containing nutrients that could end up in streams and ponds.

The trailer, sponsored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recreates the process in which manure is washed into streams and ponds during rainfall. The runoff is collected in a tray and the water is tested for various contaminants such as phosphate, phosphorous, nitrate, certain bacteria and pH levels, he said.

The trailer was developed by Extension specialists Joe Harner, Joel DeRouchey and Twig Marston. There are currently 10 Extension specialists trained to use the trailer and all watershed specialists are qualified as well, Harner said.

Right now, there are about 15 requested dates for demonstrations with more being added every week, he said. Some of the major events include the 4-State Farm Show in July and the KLA/KSU Field Days in August. After July 1, individuals can go to the Kansas Livestock Environmental Stewardship Web site at
www.ksre.ksu.edu/kles/ and check the upcoming events calendar to see the dates and locations that the educational trailer is scheduled for.

For more information, contact local watershed specialist through the local K-State Research and Extension office to schedule the trailer for an educational event.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.